Warning: Referencing character death.

Been

Summary: Sam has been here before but each time has its own unique set of challenges. The first time was the thought of never
seeing him again, of living her life alone. The second time, Sam had young children she was responsible for. This time, though, she's alone. There are no lives depending on her and she can't contact Danny. Yes, she's been here before but never like this.

Samantha "Sam" Annabel Fenton; Gothica Phantom

July-August 2034

Lilly and Vanessa were safe. I had guards ordered to their home and Danny's sacrifice wasn't in vain. Donnie and Jay didn't want to leave me. I asked them to stay with Maddie and Jack but they both refused. I was sitting on the roof alone, though, because that's where I wanted to be. I was a widow again. I knew it wouldn't be for long but it took a month last time. I could be alone for a while.

This is too important of a job for you to screw up, he had hissed. Get the mother and don't fail me again or this shall be your fate too! The ghost turned the gun on his own team member and without a single injury on the ghost, he combusted. This was something we'd never faced before. I showed the smallest amount of weakness and the ghost capitalized on it.

Sam, Danny screamed, pushing me out of the way. I hit the ground, looking up to see him hit by the beam. His entire form incinerated and he vanished before my eyes. I hadn't even realized what I had witnessed at the time. I thought he was okay. I regained my bearings and shot ectoplasm at the ghost. I wasn't in shock. I wasn't in denial. I didn't know anything happened.

I remained oblivious, too, until the castle arrived. I killed the King, the ghost had screamed from a distance. He was fleeing but he stopped momentarily. You obey me now!

We will never follow you, Gauis hissed. We are loyal to the house of Phantom! The remainder of our guards continued to close the gap. Realizing he was on the losing side, the ghost fled deeper into the Zone. Only Gauis stood by my side.

Kill, I asked, looking around. Where was Danny? He couldn't be killed that easily.

I am so sorry, my queen. We didn't know, Gauis said, holding out his hand.

Danny, I screamed. He had been dead for three minutes and I didn't even know. How could I not know? Each time I felt it.

Sam, Gauis, let's go! Lilly is about to deliver any minute now, Trevor stuck his head out the Speeder. I focused on my daughter and my grandbaby. That was six hours ago, though. I had given the gun to my in-laws and asked my boys to go to Fentonworks. I hadn't called anyone else, though. It was late. I'd have to do that tomorrow.

"Mom," I heard Donnie whisper. I looked up, seeing my son clouded with tears. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine," I said, wiping my tears. Donnie and Jay were only nine but they were bright boys. I didn't have to protect them. They would probably end up protecting me. "Sit down here, baby."

"Dad's going to come back, Mom. I know it."

"I know that, Donnie. I'm just tired, that's all honey."

"Uncle Tucker's downstairs, Mom. I thought you might want to know."

"Thanks," I said, standing up. I pulled my son in tight, giving him a tight hug. "I love you, Donnie. Everything is going to be okay."

"Mom," Donnie said, turning a shade of red. "I know that, okay." I chuckled, shaking my head. He really was okay. He wasn't putting on a brave face. He knew everything would be okay.

I took the stairs instead of flying. I didn't want to see Tucker. He would know how much of a mess I am and I didn't want him to think I wouldn't be okay. I didn't want him to worry. I entered into the living room, Tucker coming to a stand.

"Has he made contact," Valerie asked, also coming to a stand.

"No," I shook my head. I stopped at the couch, opting not to come any further. Tucker finished the trip, taking me in his arms.

"You can't hide from me," Tucker whispered very softly. "I'm here, honey. He'll be back."

"I know," I nodded. Tucker gave me a firm look but I didn't break. I would not fall apart. Danny will be back.

"If you need anything at all, we're here, honey," Valerie replied. She joined Tucker and I, wrapping her arms around both of us. "Do you need us to watch the twins?"

"Donnie and Jay don't want to leave me," I said, stepping away from my family. "I'm going to be okay, guys. I'm just worried about how long this will take."

"I know. Me too. Just know he's probably here with you, Sam. We know he can't use any powers. If he does…"

"It'll take longer," I nodded. "I don't want him to use any powers. I'd rather have him back sooner than have him send me a sign."

"You got that, Danny," Valerie declared, looking around the room. "Come back to us."

I swallowed. "You guys can go home," I said, trying not to display my turmoil. Tucker touched my arm and I was instantly in the past. I had four very young children to care for and an unborn child who had never met her father. I felt lost and confused. My world was spiraling out of control until I felt the hair on my arms raise. He was touching me.

"Sam," Tucker reacted, grabbing me by the shoulder. "Okay, that's it. I'm staying."

"No, no," I said, tears coming to my eyes. "I'm fine."

"Come on," Tucker said, wrapping his arm around my shoulder and leading me upstairs. "I'll call you later, honey."

"Call me if you need anything, sweetheart," Valerie nodded. I closed my eyes, the tears I had so desperately been holding onto slipping down my face.

Tucker led me to mine and Danny's bedroom and I lay down on the bed. Tucker joined me, wrapping me in his arms. I couldn't hold it in anymore. "Where is he, Tucker? I felt him before! What if he can't make it back this time?"

"Shh," Tucker whispered. "When his powers went so low we couldn't hear him anymore, you couldn't feel him either. That's probably what's wrong. He's too weak, Sam. He'll be back."

"The realms have fallen, though, Tucker," I whimpered. I felt Tucker move my hair away from my face. "That was before the realms fell. What if this time is different? What if he's lost?!"

"He'll find his way home, Sam. He always does."

I wanted to believe him. I really did.

(04)

To visit my granddaughter, I had to go through a battery of tests. There were dozens of guards in the area and I had to pass through a machine that could see if there was a ghost inside me. After I cleared their safeguards, I was allowed to enter the home. Lilly was sitting in the rocker, gliding my grandbaby back and forth with the greatest of ease. She looked up and the anguish on her face ten folded. She stood up, jarring Vanessa. The baby started to cry as Lilly joined my arms, crying herself.

"I'm so sorry, Mom. I am so sorry."

"It's okay, Lilly. Your dad wouldn't want you to be like this."

"Have you heard from him," Lilly asked. Lilly has been here for all three deaths but she only remembers the second. Megan and Doc were old enough to remember the second as well but they were still too young to fully comprehend. Lilly remembers what it felt like not knowing if he'd be back. Remembering the loneness that month brought.

"No. He can't communicate with me or it'll take longer to recharge. He's probably avoiding us."

"Let me know if you hear anything, Mom," Lilly pleaded. I nodded. "Dad and Uncle Blue came by today," Lilly added.

"They did," I smiled. "They know, right?"

"Yeah," Lilly nodded. "Dad was really upset but he was dealing. Blue promised to do everything he could to get him back."

I sighed. "I haven't talked to anyone but Tucker. I was there with Gauis when he told your grandparents but I was really out of it. I'm starting to cope now."

Lilly smiled at me. "You want to hold Vanessa?"

"Yeah," I nodded, tears coming to my eyes. I had hoped Danny would be here with me for this moment.

Lilly transferred Vanessa to my arms and the baby just eased right in there. Vanessa was still upset from Lilly's sudden jar when I arrived but my hot core was lulling her to sleep. I walked over to the rocker and sat down, rocking Vanessa backwards and forwards. "Isn't she beautiful, Mom?"

"She sure is," I smiled. "She looks just like you, Lilly."

"Thanks, Mom," Lilly smiled, brightly.

"Wait until you meet your grandpa, Vanessa," I smiled. "Danny is going to spoil you rotten." I laughed, tears in my eyes. Lilly was laughing sadly too.

"He'll be back, right, Mom," Lilly asked.

"Of course, honey," I said, looking to her. "He won't leave us unless he absolutely has to." I was desperately trying to convince myself that now.

After Vanessa fell asleep, I transferred her to the bassinet and rejoined Lilly on the couch. Lilly lay down in my arms as if she was ten years old again. I held her, rubbing her hair. "I miss him so much, Mom," Lilly cried.

"I do, too, honey," I said, kissing her head.

"I am so sorry, Mom," Lilly whimpered. I kept rubbing her hair. She was twenty-eight years old but she'll always be my baby.

"You did nothing wrong, Lilly," I said, holding her tight. I wished this was as easy to soothe away as all those wintertime colds had been. My powers don't heal a broken heart. Lord knows I wished they did. "Your dad and I chose to be there with you. I wouldn't change a thing and I know he wouldn't want to either."

"Thank you for protecting us," Lilly whispered. "If you had fallen apart, we would have lost yesterday."

"I know," I said, looking down. "I think that's why I didn't register he had died," I said honestly. "I had to keep my head until the castle arrived."

"Why didn't they serve the ghost," Lilly asked, sitting up on the couch. She looked at me from the opposite side. "The first time you said I killed them. That meant I became the queen. The second time we captured them and Daddy died the next day. There was nothing protecting the throne this time. We should not be royalty."

"Gauis mentioned not following them. He said he was loyal to the house of Phantom. I think maybe it's a choice. Maybe they chose to follow Danny now."

"That doesn't make any sense, though," Lilly said and I had to agree. "When Daddy beat the King of All Ghosts, he became the King of the Ghost Zone. That ghost should have been king."

"He should have been but he's not. Why isn't important," I replied slowly. I didn't have the answer but I didn't care. All I cared about was taking care of my family and getting my husband back again.

"Hey, Sam," I heard Trevor announce. He handed me a cup of tea in a mug. "Here. I brewed some fresh."

"Thanks, Trevor," I nodded, taking the cup. Trevor handed Lilly some and sat down between us. I took a drink. "You two have a really beautiful baby."

"It's because of you that she's still with us. You and Danny of course. Thank you, Sam."

"She's my grandbaby," I said, looking between my daughter and my future son-in-law. "I will always protect my babies."

"If you need anything at all, Sam, we're here. I know Danny. That old goat will be back. Don't you worry."

I laughed. "I wouldn't call him old when he gets back. At least not to his face or within a mile of earshot. The man has eight kids, three ghosts, a grandbaby and has died three times. He might not take those words kindly."

Trevor laughed with me. "He'll have to deal with it. He's old."

"He doesn't look a day over thirty," I retorted. I laughed some more, taking a drink of tea. I just turned forty-four two days ago. We weren't old. I just felt like it sometimes.

"I didn't say he looked old," Trevor kidded with me. It wasn't much but it eased my turmoil just a bit.

(04)

I was visiting family first. Lilly and D.J. lived in town but Megan, Dawn, Sammy, Pammy, Mada, Jacky, and Jamie didn't live in Amity Park right now. I'd visit Vlad and Blue next and then go see D.J. He would know but I'd have to see the rest of the kids according to location. I talked with Vlad and Blue for a while and comforted their fourteen year old son, Alex. I'd send Donnie and Jay over to help him deal. With Blue's illness, Alex was more affected by Danny's death than my boys were. Even though Alex was older than our twins.

Finally, I flew to my son's new apartment. D.J. and Jayleen still lived in town but soon they'd be going to Georgia. D.J. was set to take over for Clockwork in twenty-nine years so he wanted to focus on family. Danny and I agreed that while he could have a career still, building a family was more important. We supported D.J.'s decision to not go to college. He would move to the south, though, so he could be with Jayleen while she studied Engineering.

"Hey, Mom," D.J. whispered, heartbroken. "He's okay."

"Do you know where he is," I asked, trying not to get my hopes up. D.J. acts like the master of time but sometimes he misses things.

"Yeah." I tried not to cry. "It's not safe to be an unfinished business ghost, Mom. The realms are very unstable now. Dad didn't want me to say anything more."

I could figure that much. The realms collapsed in 2012, creating a huge mess between them. Danny should have only went to the next realm but Lord only knows where he is now. The good Lord and my son that is. "Your father isn't here," I declared. "If you know something… tell me." My strength faded and my voice broke at the end. I need to know where Danny is.

"There's this world. No one is meant to enter here. It's a dead world. The ghosts that don't cross over enter this world and-and they're supposed to be stuck here. Because the boundaries are broken, though, Dad can escape. Until then, though… he'll be there a while."

"How long's a while," I said, trying not to cry. There's something he's not telling me.

"I don't know," D.J. said, shaking his head miserably. "He'll be back before next year. That's the only concrete information I have. It could be two months. It could be six months. I don't know."

I closed my eyes, tears leaking out. I wanted my husband home. "What aren't you telling me, D.J.?"

"I'm sworn to secrecy, Mom," D.J. said, looking down. "Dad threatened to erase my existence if I told you that."

I grabbed his arm, pulling it to me. "Tell me!"

"It's like I said, Mom. It's a dead world. That dimension was destroyed and it's this huge void. It's incompatible with life. It's where the ideal of hell came from, Mom. Dad feels like he's been ripped apart."

I covered my mouth. "No."

"It's going to be all right," D.J. said, rubbing my back. "Dad's strong. Most ghosts that don't cross over are destroyed. Those that survive do it just barely. Dad's going to come back. It's going to be painful but we're going to bring him home. He'll do anything for his family."

"I know." I knew Danny would do anything to get home but the question remained. Would there be anything left of Danny to revive with the Reality Gauntlet? I know if we can get him home, Danny can come back. We've done it twice before. If he's obliterated, though, we'll lose him forever.

I visited the rest of my family: Megan and Dawn in California, Jacky and Jamie in South Carolina, Sammy, Pammy and Mada in Champaign-Urbana. Each one reacted just how I expected them to but I was just numb. I returned home and thanked God that my sons hadn't returned yet. I went into my room and closed the door. I sat down on my bed, sitting in a cross-legged position. I was going to find my husband.

(04)

It had been weeks and I still couldn't find him. Donnie and Jay knew to leave me alone when I closed the door and did well with taking care of themselves. I hated abandoning my sons but I had to find their father. I had plenty of family to look after them for me. My priority was saving my husband.

I slipped through the mental layers, sending my mind out to the far realms. It wasn't as easy as I thought it'd be. When Danny had went on his world travels, connecting with him was as easy as thinking. I could get lost when I done this. I tried to take extreme caution not to lose my way when I did this. I went comatose for two days last time I got lost. The realms were so messed up. I'd never done anything like this before as it was but trying to do it with the realms collapsed was proving to be an issue.

I was on his trail. The first time I found his signature was just a lost echo from the day he died. I followed him into the realm of the unfinished business ghosts, into the Ghost Zone, through several other realms and finally I was about eighty realms from home. I had to find him soon. The trail was growing cold. I don't know what I'll do if I can't find his signature anymore.

After twenty minutes of soul traveling to the last place I had discovered, I picked his trail up again and began searching. When I was traveling, I could escape the lost souls but now that I was searching, they reached out to me, as if they were leeches in search for blood. Their spirits were milky colored, frail and deteriorating. If they did make it back to the real world, they'd be so weak they couldn't be seen. Unfinished business ghosts can be seen now in our world—seen, not heard—but these guys will never get that chance. They don't have the strength.

"Help us," one of the ghosts cried out to me, taking a hold of my spirit's arm. I continued forward, long past the heartbreak I used to feel. There was nothing I could do for these souls. They alone control their fates. If they're strong enough to make the journey, then I imagine their futures will be bright. If not… well, I don't know what will happen to them.

I soul traveled for hours in search for Danny but I knew it was time to come home. I stopped, about to retract my soul when I noticed something different. These ghosts looked stronger. They were resting, though, as if they were tired. Could it be? I turned to one of the souls. "Please, I'm searching for my husband. He died three weeks ago and he didn't cross over. Where do the souls go around here?"

"You're not a soul," he asked. He was breathing hard, as if he had just run a marathon.

"No. My husband is. Where do the souls go?"

"You're almost there." He turned his body, facing deeper in the realms. "Do you see that veil?"

I looked in the direction he looked and I could see something. It rippled as if it wasn't quite real. Almost like a mirage. "What is it?"

"If your husband just died recently, then that's where he is. He'll be trapped there for a few years."

"Thank you so much," I said, getting emotional. I had no way of producing tears. I wasn't real. I'd probably be crying in my physical form, though.

"How far is it back that way," he asked, looking reluctant.

"Far," I said, sympathetic. "From what I've seen, don't stop. You have to make it back to the real world to cross over. You can't stay here."

"I know," he nodded. "I didn't choose to stay but I can't move on, either. I have to make it back. Thank you, young one. I wish you well." My heart went out to him. Sometimes, souls don't choose to stick around. Sometimes, the weight of their old lives is just too heavy for them to cross over. He doesn't deserve this.

"You too, sir," I said to the old man. "Keep going. The more you're here, the more risk you have of obliterating yourself. Only stop for brief periods and do not use your powers. Best of luck."

"Thank you," he nodded. I turned away, traveling farther into the realms.

I stopped outside the ripple, wondering what was on the other side. I took a breath and passed through. Once I was on the other side, though, I prayed I hadn't. Pain shot through my body and I screamed. I crumbled to the floor, unable to move. I pulled my hands to my head, wishing for it to go away.

"Sam," I heard a voice. It was distorted with its own pain. It could only be one person. "What are you doing here?"

"Danny," I said, forcing myself to stand up. The pain was unbearable. I strained against it but it was worse than anything I had ever felt before.

"Sam, come on, you can't be here. Please don't tell me you died." He looked pained and I don't think it was because of the realm.

"No-no," I said, trying to regain control. I clenched my eyes shut, whining in pain. "I-I came for you."

"You have to get out of here, baby. I-I'll be home. I promise."

"Not without you," I whimpered. "The pain doesn't exist on that other-other side, Danny. Come with me."

"I've tried, Sam," Danny said. He stopped, taking quick breaths. "Please, get out of here."

I took his hand, "Not without you." The pain faded away, though, in a moment. "What?"

"The pain," Danny said, bunching up his brow. He looked to our joined hands. "It can't hurt us when we're together."

"We're getting out of here," I said, my breathing slowing down. The echo of pain still existed but I was recuperating. I know we could get out of here.

"You have to promise me you'll leave alone if I can't get out with you," Danny said, looking in my eyes. "I have to say I've tried it before. I saw others leaving that way and I tried to follow them. I couldn't do it before."

"I'm not promising you nothing," I said, stroking his face with my hand still in his. "This is protecting you. I'll never leave you unprotected."

Danny nodded slowly, knowing I wouldn't resign. We moved to the doorway. I stepped halfway through it but stopped before I could cross all the way out. I still had Danny's hand but it was on the other side. "Go, Sam! Please, just go!"

"Not without you," I said firmly, holding tighter to his hand. "I'm here, baby. I'm not letting go until you are home with me!"

"I can't come with you, Sam," Danny declared. "I can't get out of here!"

"We are the King and Queen of the Ghost Zone! There is nothing we can't do together!"

Danny tightened his grip on my hand. Suddenly, he began screaming. It hurt me to know he was in pain but I held onto his hand for dear life, willing him with me. Finally, he fell into this realm, landing on me. I kissed him. "I'm okay," Danny panted. "It's just like before. That's the same thing I went through when I exited the tunnel. That's just another tunnel."

"We have to get out of here, Danny. The longer you stay, the weaker you get."

"We're going home, honey," Danny smiled at me.

I didn't let go of his hand the entire way. By the time I made it back to where my body was, D.J. was waiting there with Tucker. Tucker shook his head. "Danny, buddy, you're more trouble than you're worth."

"I know it," Danny said, annoyed. "You can dump my butt. I'd deserve it!"

"Forget it," Tucker laughed. He pointed the gauntlet in my direction. I guess he couldn't see Danny. It would make sense. We couldn't see him before. Danny's hand slipped from between my fingers as he appeared, physical, in front of me. D.J. moved quickly, catching his father. I watched D.J. put Danny on the bed, away from my physical form. Once I knew my brother and son had my husband, I returned to my body. I was exhausted.

(04)

"Welcome to the family, Vanessa," Danny said, holding our granddaughter in his arms. The entire family was there for the first meeting of granddaughter and grandfather. Lilly leaned into Trevor, smiling warmly. Blue smiled on happily in Vlad's arms. Everyone was happy to have Danny back.

"Thanks for looking out for my family while I was gone, guys," Danny said, smiling like a fool.

"This had better be the last time you die until you are a hundred and eighty," I declared.

Danny held his hand up. "Ninety-two, scouts honor!"

"So I guess no one should try to hold on," Sammy said, her voice quiet. The mood turned dark. We're less than a year away from the Battle of Amity Park. If we lose her, we've lost her. There will be no Reality Gauntlet to revive her.

"No. If you die, stay away from the left tunnel," Danny sighed. "I'm not sure if I could have made it out of there if Sam hadn't come after me."

"I'd rather have you as ghosts than to possibly lose you forever," Maddie said, putting her hand on Danny's shoulder. "I'm so happy you're back, though, honey."

"I love you, too, Mom," Danny smiled softly.

"We're going to get through this," Tucker spoke up. "We just have to look out for each other."

I hoped this was the last time I'd ever have to go through this. I might have been here before but each time has its own unique challenges. Next time, though, might not have the happy ending we want. Our get out of death free card has officially expired.

The End

AN: Okay, this chapter details the third time Danny is killed in my fanon. The first one was in Life's Changes and the second time was in Moving Forward. As long as the person doesn't move on (that is, become a ghost in the Ghost Zone), they can be revived by the Reality Gauntlet. If they move on, death is permanent. If you'd like to read more like this, check out Life's Changes, chapter 20 and Moving Forward, chapter 15. Thanks for reading!